Identifying Asymptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease by Physical Exam

Presence of femoral bruits and absence of foot pulses were associated with abnormal ABI in asymptomatic people.

How well does physical examination identify patients with subclinical peripheral vascular disease? To answer this question, French researchers analyzed data from a cohort study of 2736 adults (mean age, 52) with no clinical histories of coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular disease. A single physician examined all patients (with attention to the vascular system), and all patients underwent carotid ultrasound and measurement of ankle-brachial index (ABI).

The examiner found carotid bruits in 4% of patients, femoral bruits in 4%, and absence of ipsilateral dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses in 3%. Presence of a femoral bruit predicted an abnormal ipsilateral ABI (odds ratio, 3.0, after adjustment for 10-year Framingham coro…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose